288 



THE FAN-TAIL WAEBLER 



The Sedge Warbler arrives in this country about the same time as the last-mentioned 

 sx^ecies, and immediately repairs to the low-lying spots where it can find that peculiar 

 herbage that grows near water. Sedges, reeds, rushes and willows are its favourite resorts, 

 and upon the branches of the last-mentioned tree this Warbler may be observed, on the 

 rare occasions when it deigns to present itself in full view. In such localities it conceals 

 itself most effectually, and although it pours forth its pleasant song with great fluency, 

 prefers to remain secluded in the thick foliage of its home. On one or two occasions, 

 while sitting in a boat drawn among the thick reeds that are found in rivers, I have both 

 seen and heard this interesting little creature, and noticed that it seldom shows itself 

 within six or seven inches of the reed tops. By remaining perfectly quiet, a careful 

 observer may Hote the peculiar fitful movements of the Sedge Warbler, as it dives 

 among the reeds, and ever and anon shows itself in some small open space, only to 

 disappear the next moment. 



The song of the Sedge Warbler is not powerful, but is very constantly uttered. It 

 may be heard to the best advantage in the early morning and the dusk of the evening, 



1 



SEDGE VfARHLER.—Calcotiodyta phragmitis. 



and, like that of the nightingale, is often prolonged far into the hours of darkness. The 

 strain is quick, and has a peculiar guttural sound that is quite indescribable in words. 



The structure of the nest and its position are extremely variable, according to the 

 locality in which the bird dwells. Generally the nest is composed of moss and various 

 fibres, the finest being always worked into the centre so as to form a warm bed for the 

 nest and young. It is always placed under cover, sometimes being protected by a bunch 

 of reeds drawn together, sometimes built in the midst of some thick bush, and sometimes 

 overshadowed by a tuft of rank aquatic herbage. The eggs are from four to six in number, 

 and their colour is a very light yellow-brown, dappled with a darker hue. 



The general colour of this bird is brown of various shades above, pure white on the 

 chin and throat, and buff upon the breast and abdomen. Its total length is rather under 

 five inches. 



I 



The Fan-tail Warblee, which has been referred by Mr. Gould to the genus Salicaria, 

 is a most interesting little bird, and deserving of our best admiration, not only for the 

 elegance of its form and delicate beauty of its colouring, but for the wonderful skill which 

 it displays in the formation of its nest. 



